1 — Cactus cuddles

Head down to Scottsdale, Arizona for a proper Western experience and the home of around five million cacti

Despite being in the Sonoran Desert, southern Arizona is far from barren.

It’s home to around five million cacti, and while you’ll want to avoid the fuzzy jumping cholla, which attaches itself to you at the slightest touch, the majestic saguaros can grow to 40ft and live for 250 years.

As well as taking in the incredible vistas at the 2,700ft-high summit, there’s an almost needle-less saguaro you can hug on the way down. For a great hiking base, stay at Mountain Shadows – it has stunning views of Camelback, spacious rooms and a stylish pool. Double rooms cost from £85.

2 — Sprout tacos

You will find Brussels sprouts on every menu in Scottsdale - try them served in tacos

Brussels sprouts are the hottest veg here – they’re on every menu in Scottsdale. Try them served in tacos with chile de arbol, apple, ginger and Cotija cheese, £9, at trendy Latin restaurant The Mission. Or scoff them with melted cheese, roasted garlic and beetroot cream in Diego Pops’ lip-smacking nachos, £7, washed down with a delicious prickly pear margarita made from cactus syrup, £7.

After a sweet treat? Visit Super Chunk for cake-scrap ice cream, £3.70, and a brookie, £1.70 – a cookie and brownie baked together – as well as home-made salt and orchid candles and cute cactus prints.

3 — Cowboy college

John Wayne will have nothing on you after a day at Arizona Cowboy College. You’ll be put through your paces on owner Rocco’s working ranch, grooming and saddling up before learning how to ride cowboy-style, AKA one-handed with a lasso! Plus you get a lesson in roping cattle – thankfully they’re just dummies. Prices start from £336.

Or 30 minutes’ drive from Scottsdale at Fort McDowell, mount your trusty steed for a hack through the Yavapai Nation. The area is home to a Native American tribe, and across the Verde River is a lush desert oasis. We spotted bald eagles and wild mustangs cooling off in the water. Two-hour hacks cost from £67.

4 — Sky-high sights

The best way to see Arizona is from 5,000ft up. Beat the sunrise on a 5am trip over the desert with Hot Air Expeditions. We spied coyotes, jackrabbits and loads of swimming pools! An hour-long flight and champagne breakfast costs from £134.

5 — Saloon sessions

Eat meat and hit bars because you can't beat your local where you can ride bulls

You can’t beat a local bar, especially when the locals wear stetsons and ride bulls for fun. Cave Creek is a 40-minute drive from Scottsdale and looks like a town from a Western, with rodeo pens and equestrian shops galore. Start your night at Bryan’s Black Mountain Barbecue for mouth-watering meat smoked over locally grown pecan wood. Later, hit Buffalo Chip Saloon for live country music and bi-weekly bull riding. In Scottsdale, celebs such as Jennifer Aniston and Clint Eastwood have knocked back liquor at Rusty Spur Saloon, with its taxidermied deer and Western memorabilia (Rustyspursaloon.com).

Into wine? Sip syrah on the terrace at LDV wine gallery, which grows its vines in the Arizona mountains.

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6 — Gold mines

Trek into the landscape surrounding Cave Creek to check out old gold mines and find out the proper way to eat a jumping cholla (yep, really). End your hike with a real American burger, fries and shake, from £8.40, at former gas station Big Earl’s Greasy Eats. Then rest up at Boulders Resort & Spa. Surrounded by ancient granite boulders that dot the landscape, and with adobe clay-style cabins with private balconies, it’s a fab place to catch a sunset. Double rooms cost from £92, and desert hikes from £61.

7 — Paint jobs

Head downtown for some artistic wonders. Thursday night is ArtWalk, where Scottsdale’s dozens of art galleries showcase the best of the South West. You’ll feel like you’ve gone back in time, with horse-drawn carriages in the streets and fountains in quaint courtyards.

After, head to FnB for “family-style” sharing plates. The Peruvian chicken spring rolls, £11, and roasted sunchokes with elephant garlic and feta, £9, will leave you feeling full and virtuous. Stock up on souvenirs at Carmen – it’s great for jewellery and quirky cosmetic bags. And pick up eco-friendly gifts for kids at Zoolikins.